AIMIM open to anti-BJP alliance in UP ahead of 2027 elections, Owaisi says

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has declared his party's willingness to forge alliances with political forces seeking to block the BJP's bid for a third consecutive term in Uttar Pradesh, setting an October 2 deadline to announce any pre-poll understanding.

Addressing a public rally in Kanpur's Cantonment constituency, the Hyderabad MP told the gathering that AIMIM shares the objective of preventing another BJP government in the state. "We also do not want the BJP government to be formed in UP for the third time. If you want to stop the BJP from forming the government again, come and join hands with AIMIM," Owaisi said.

Alliance Strategy and Timeline

The AIMIM president announced that his party would wait until October 2 before declaring whether it had entered into any electoral alliance. He urged voters to strengthen AIMIM's footprint in Uttar Pradesh, arguing that the Muslim community needs a "voice" in the state Assembly.

Owaisi recalled his party's experience during the Bihar elections, where AIMIM had proposed contesting six seats as part of a broader coalition but was met with "false allegations" instead.

Direct Attack on Samajwadi Party

The AIMIM chief took aim at Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, questioning his party's record on communal violence and Muslim representation. "Your Akhilesh 'bhaiya' came to power, how many riots took place?" Owaisi asked, before invoking the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. He said around 50,000 people had been displaced from their homes and villages during that episode and questioned the extent of Muslim representation in the SP government at the time.

Owaisi accused successive state governments of neglecting the socio-economic and educational challenges faced by Muslims.

Warning Against 'Fear Politics'

With elections approaching, Owaisi cautioned Muslim voters against appeals based on "old fear", a reference to calls to support established parties solely to keep the BJP out of power. "Now elections are coming, so many people will come to you. They will show you the old fear," he said.

The AIMIM leader also criticised the BJP government over its policies concerning madrassas and highlighted the contributions of Muslim clerics and religious scholars to India's freedom struggle. He attacked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his references to freedom fighter and former Congress president Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar.

Speaking about Kanpur's history, Owaisi discussed the city's madrassas and claimed that Muslim ulemas had issued a fatwa against the British during the independence movement.

Source: The Hindu